You are right it does vary depending on the instructor and what they are used to. I personally like the 39"......to me it's more visual because of it's length. I know PR used them in '96 as well as Crossmen.

Also rifles are seen in various sizes too. Again, I prefer the longer one.

_________________MalibuCrossmen Alumni

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

I got one question for you guys. I'm currently the Majastix Winter Guard Director! Unforunately I havent hire a CG Instructor of yet. But I would like to know what would be a perfect size length Sabres & Rifle? For a Brand New Winter Guard. That most of my members either have some experience in Color Guard or No Experience at all.

I got one question for you guys. I'm currently the Majastix Winter Guard Director! Unforunately I havent hire a CG Instructor of yet. But I would like to know what would be a perfect size length Sabres & Rifle? For a Brand New Winter Guard. That most of my members either have some experience in Color Guard or No Experience at all.

Thanks

Ya know, I still like the longer ones better.....they show up visually better on and off the field. It doesn't really matter if they are returning vets or all rookies. I've taught rookies right off the bat with the longer weapons and they execute the same. It really depends on what you want.

Same thing with flag poles. Some instructors think beginners should start off with a 5 or 5 1/2 foot pole. I disagree.....I think whatever you start them off with they will learn and not think twice what the size is. I prefer 6, 6 1/2 or 7 foot poles.....again, the larger the equipment, the more visual impact it will bring.

_________________MalibuCrossmen Alumni

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

I agree with Malibu, but for a different reason. I used 36"s when I was learning, and those worked well enough. But before state, we switched to 39s. The 39s felt alot more stable to throw than the 36s for some reason, besides the fact they were a heavier. So if your guard started out on 39s, the new weight wouldn't be a factor if you later bought 39s after buying 36s... if that makes any sense.

Maybe I just had a weird experience with the feel of a longer rifle, and maybe it is easier to spin shorter rifles, I'm not sure. This is the account of a first year winterguard participant, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

I agree with Malibu, but for a different reason. I used 36"s when I was learning, and those worked well enough. But before state, we switched to 39s. The 39s felt alot more stable to throw than the 36s for some reason, besides the fact they were a heavier. So if your guard started out on 39s, the new weight wouldn't be a factor if you later bought 39s after buying 36s... if that makes any sense.

Maybe I just had a weird experience with the feel of a longer rifle, and maybe it is easier to spin shorter rifles, I'm not sure. This is the account of a first year winterguard participant, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

Yes, that's were I get my rifles from too. Many drum corps and indoor guards buy from him as well.

I will say a shorter rifle is easier to spin and toss but because of the shortness it is also easier to over throw or loose control.
I have found that the longer rifle (because of balance) is very left hand friendly.....especially during spins. Yes it may take extra muscle to toss that "tree trunk" but when it's in the air it takes command of everything else.
After spending time on a longer rifle, you'll start calling the shorter ones babies.

_________________MalibuCrossmen Alumni

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

When my sister was done in 27 in 70, I had a few of her rifles. My Dad went and got me a new one which was sweet, however he didn't realize it was a baby one.

I found it much more difficult to use even at 11 after using the longer one to begin to learn on.

Malibu, you mention the left hand, I believe most of the years I marched, I was the only one that was left handed! However I do many things with my right, so I guess it didn't matter. Like throw a ball-right handed, eat with a fork/spoon-both, hold my cards-both.

My Dad was fully ambi and we had 3 out of 5 in my immediately family. Leftys were not that common when I was growing up.

They tried to change my Dad, he still stuttered a little from that....nuns!

When my sister was done in 27 in 70, I had a few of her rifles. My Dad went and got me a new one which was sweet, however he didn't realize it was a baby one.

I found it much more difficult to use even at 11 after using the longer one to begin to learn on.

Malibu, you mention the left hand, I believe most of the years I marched, I was the only one that was left handed! However I do many things with my right, so I guess it didn't matter. Like throw a ball-right handed, eat with a fork/spoon-both, hold my cards-both.

My Dad was fully ambi and we had 3 out of 5 in my immediately family. Leftys were not that common when I was growing up.

They tried to change my Dad, he still stuttered a little from that....nuns!

How about you Malibu? Or anyone else?

I meant left handed friendly because as you know some beginner groups have more trouble spinning with the left hand because of the uneven balance in the rifle. It is much easier to spin in the right hand because of the design....not because one is left or right handed.

The rifle that I was talking about is longer than most... therefor the design is easier for beginners to spin out of the left hand.

Girl, you are so talented with rifle....you were a born natural!

_________________MalibuCrossmen Alumni

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

The thing is, when it was time to spin in 100's my left was much stronger than my right, and the right handed people weren't as strong in their left-this is as far as strength goes. Didn't matter what we were spinning.

It all felt pretty level to me not odd in the least as far as weight on one end or the other. But when you've been walking around with a rifle in your hand for a long time, I guess you don't think of that, whether your 18 or 10.

I guess because we began so young back then with Class A, B, C- year round and the feeder corps, etc. it was just a whole different thing. By freshman year in high school you were all ready for the big time, whatever that was and whatever that meant to each individual.

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